The classic car world is littered with situations where an owner will start a project build, but various factors get in the way of allowing them to realize their dream. That is the case with this 1956 Chevrolet Corvette. The owner purchased the vehicle five years ago with a specific goal, but the work ground a halt very early. He has decided to cut his losses and find somebody to transform this Corvette into something special. Located in Phoenix. Arizona, you will find this classic listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has reached $6,700, but this figure remains short of the reserve. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for referring this gem to us.

Evidence suggests that when this Corvette rolled off the production line, it wore attractive Venetian Red paint. Those glory days are well behind it, and the potential buyer will face a significant challenge returning the car to its former glory. It appears to be one of those “what you see is what you get” propositions because apart from a reasonably clean grille, there is no evidence of any external trim or glass. The interior is in a similar state, with no trim or hardware. The owner intended this to be a restomod build, but it stalled pretty early. The fiberglass panels have been partially prepared for a repaint, but there are still numerous minor flaws and defects for the buyer to address. Possibly the worst piece of news is that the frame is pretty rusty. We don’t get a clear look at it, but the owner suggests that it will require replacement. That will leave buyers with a decision to make. Although these tend to be a relative rarity, scouring online resources may reveal a good secondhand frame suitable for restoration. Some companies manufacture new frames, but these are generally priced in five-figure territory. A few also fabricate frames designed to accommodate updated drivetrain combinations for a restomod build, and I have found these as rollers starting at around $14,000. That does leave options open to the buyer, but it’ll depend on how much they are prepared to spend.

The owner doesn’t reveal his goals with this Corvette, and while the engine bay would have originally housed a 265ci V8, it is now occupied by nothing but fresh air. It seems that the car has its original suspension and some of its steering gear, but that is the extent of its mechanical components. Once again, it leaves the car as a blank canvas for the next owner. They could choose to source a period-correct drivetrain to transform this into a tidy driver or slot something completely different under the car as a restomod build. It is one of those situations where the ultimate result is only limited by the buyer’s imagination. Given the absence of its original drivetrain, there is merit in pursuing a custom build. Sourcing a more modern engine and transmission would be easy and would almost certainly be cheaper than locating a correct drivetrain for this classic. All of the required components to perform such a change are available off the shelf, making this a straightforward process.

This 1956 Chevrolet Corvette leaves me torn. In its current state, it could be a viable project for the right person. However, sourcing a replacement frame will add significantly to the time and cost of such a build. That means that it will take a very specific person to tackle this if it is to grace our roads once again. Even if the buyer slots in an updated drivetrain combination, this car has the potential to command a value beyond $50,000 if the work is performed to a high standard. That is food for thought in a case like this. If you were to buy this Corvette, would you attempt a faithful restoration, or would a restomod build be on your agenda?